A REARGUARD ACTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12408, 28 August 1918, Page 5

A REARGUARD ACTION.

FIGHTING FOR TIME. AUSTRALIANS OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, (Received August 2S, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON", August 27. Mr Percival Phillips says :-Tho Gormaiis arc dearly lighting a rearguard action, and aro no longer wildly attempting to stabilise the line, though they aro counter-attacking at some points in order to gain time. The enemy s withdrawal south of Bapaume was difficult, because wo had cut..the roads. The Albert-Bapaumo road was cut on Saturday and the Maraetzreiomie road was cut yesterday. Gambles is constantly under the fire of our heavies. Longuevul, Ginehy, Gmliemont and other places are also being accurately shelled. The .Bapaume-. ierouue road is practically untenable, there is no wild forward rush on our part. Iho infantry keeps in dose touch, and our supports are well forward. A Prussian division advanced from Beugnatre in the direction of Favrouil. it was spotted by our airmen, and mercilessly cut up. Only a remnant readied havreuil, where they fell as victims of the north country troops, mostly by bayonet work. Many German dead he in the village. We then pushed towards Beugnatre, where the British aro reported to h 0 on the outskirts. • progress on Perouno » owing to the erratic course of the .Somme and the outlying marches, but the Australians are showing remarkable speed over the higher ground, which is rough and hilly, offermg plenty of cover for machine-gun nests. D The Australians captured Gappy and buzanno during the night time. Prisoners declare that they had expected to bo left in peace. The principal obstacle was_ a solitary field-gun, which was fired industriously until the Australians tmng of, it, stalked it and disposed of the orew. Then the mop-pers-up chased the machine-gunners through cellars and the place was clearresistance at Suzanne was slight, most of the garrison boirm taken prisoners. The Australian progress apparently continues. The latest news is that*tbov are approaching the steep Vans Ridge.. °p norta bank, within seven miles of leroane bridgehead, and Biacltes on the south bank. The intervening cramtry is rolling, mostly covered with o d trenches. Apparently the guns and stores wore nearly evacuated and onlv detachments of infantry remain * "